Meet Hannah Long

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Long.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Creativity has been a constant in my life and it has extended to my art jewelry.

I started with modest beginnings five years ago, making beaded jewelry in my garage, while selling my wares at flea markets and craft shows. I quickly realized that I wanted to expand the boundaries by exploring a medium where every component was a unique handcrafted piece of my own design.

I took a metalsmithing class at a local art school, which I parlayed into a grant to attend one of the better jewelry schools in the country. As I learned and progressed, I applied to more and more trade shows. I quickly built a loyal customer base and gained the respect and acceptance of the highest juried shows in the country. My work, being different from most, allowed me to carve out my own space. I have built a loyal customer base from coast to coast and have a tenacious social media presence, which allows my customers to join me in my voyage every step of the way.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road starting this business.

Not too long before picking up metalsmithing, I had gotten sober after hitting rock bottom.

Having zero capital, I really had to hustle.

I worked multiple side jobs so I could keep this as a primary focus, had tons of roommates in my tiny house, chose to pay show fees instead of groceries some weeks.

As with any new business, there are issues with learning a different set of skills, managing cash flow, continuing to expand brand awareness, experience growth and find balance while performing every job within one’s company.

My business has scaled quickly and is now profitable enough to employ my husband and myself but I still work 90+ hour weeks.

I am looking to soon hire multiple employees so that I can continue to create new designs and have a modicum of downtime.

Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
I hand fabricate one of a kind modern art to wear.

I source many materials myself in the pursuit of global environmental sustainability and for their uniqueness.

I collect Black Coral off the beaches in South Florida, find Geodes everywhere to cut and polish and dig for fossils.

I believe that my design ability, attention to detail and craftsmanship allow me to create current heirloom jewelry that will last lifetimes.

I am proud of how quickly my company has grown in a short amount of time. I have developed a robust following both online and at trade shows.

I am grateful to have survived the difficult struggle of starting a new business and look forward to my company’s future.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the industry is moving towards being dominated by online sales as well as the slow eradication of brick and mortar locations.

I see a more creative frontier as people began to experiment with different materials, technology and push the definition of what is wearable art.

Pricing:

• $125
• $2200
• $325

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hannahlongjewelry.com
• Phone: 5619008349
• Email: hannahlong@outlook.com
• Instagram: Www.instagram.hannahlongjewelry.com
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/hannahlongjewelry
• Twitter: Www.twitter.com/designsh

Image Credit:
Ryder Gledhill

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